February Recap

Top Five Performances
1. Elton John- Sprint Center
My review.
2. Blake Shelton with Trace Adkins, Lauren Alaina, John Anderson and the Bellamy Brothers- Sprint Center
My review.
3. Ben Allison’s Think Free- Mod Gallery
My review.
4. Chris Hazelton’s Boogaloo 7- Black Dolphin
I like it like that.
5. Heat Index- Thee Gin Mill
Sizzling fusion in the suburbs.

Top Five Albums
1. Yugen Blakrok- Anima Mysterium
A fearsome roar from the Black Panther soundtrack alum.
2. Nubiyan Twist- Jungle Run
Nourishing future jazz.
3. Drew Williams’ Wing Walker Orchestra- Hazel
The Lee’s Summit musician makes a national splash.
4. Mavis Staples- Live in London
A great American.
5. Cochemea Gastelum- All My Relations
Metaphysical jams.

Top Five Songs
1. Natti Natasha- “Pa’ Mala Yo”
Who’s bad?
2. Reggie B and the Popper- “Not Funky”
Heartland funk.
3. Tropkillaz, J Balvin, Anitta and MC Zaac- “Bola Rebola”
Balling.
4. Ariana Grande- “NASA”
Spaced out.
5. Keaton Conrad- “What Am I Supposed to Do?”
Kansas City’s Prince of Pop.

(Original image of Elton John by There Stands the Glass.)

Album Review: Stephen Malkmus- Wig Out at Jagbags

I happened to listen to Trey Anastasio's 2012 album Traveler the same day I played Stephen Malkmus' new album Wig Out at Jagbags for the first time.  The only real difference between the two recordings is the Phish man's sincerity and the Pavement man's irony.  Both guys are obviously in thrall of the Grateful Dead.  ("Lariat" is my jam.)  I need a miracle- how about a co-headlining tour of the two oddly compatible men during the second half of 2014?

---
I reviewed Allen Toussaint's concert at the Folly Theater on Saturday.

---
I had an out-of-body experience on Sunday as a trio of women from the Midwest Chamber Ensemble played Claude Debussy's "Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp" at a Lutheran church.  I also enjoyed hearing "Pendulum Quartet" by the young composer Joseph Kern.

---
My review of a Steel Panther concert was referenced by the Huffington Post.

---
Amiri Baraka has died.

---
I didn't see the trippy video for Reggie B's "Hypnotized" until last weekend. 

---
A&R veteran Peter Lubin's new essay about the Everly Brothers is loaded with invaluable insights.

---
John Newman's new album Tribute  is solid British blue-eyed soul.  RIYL: Adele, pure pop for yesterday's people, Dusty Springfield.

---
I like Leo Welch's Sabougla Voices even though it's reminiscent of those awkward albums that paired the likes of Howlin' Wolf with his young English devotees.  RIYL: boogie, unblinking musings about impending death, Mississippi.

---
Wayne Kramer's picks are superior to Billy Bragg's choices in an entertaining "What's In My Bag" segment.

---
Kid Ink's My Own Lane is one of the most cynical boardroom-constructed albums I've heard in some time.  The gambit- creating a watered-down version of the catchiest work of 2 Chainz/Tiga/Big Sean- works.  RIYL: Katy Perry, high school, Bruno Mars.

---
The Tord Gustavsen Quartet has five American gigs booked in February.  I'm eyeing the Chicago and Portland dates as I listen to samples from the forthcoming Extended Circle album.

---
Have I no shame!  I genuinely enjoy Martynas' self-titled crossover-classical/Euro-pop accordion album.  RIYL: cheese, hokum, watching TV at nursing homes.

---
Even though Juana Molina's Son topped my album list in 2006, I simply wasn't prepared to listen to her new release Wed 21 until recently.  RIYL: Gal Costa, dreaming, Tom Zé.

---
Matt Pryor's Wrist Slitter is shockingly good.  RIYL: Elvis Costello's first five albums, contemplating suicide, the Get Up Kids.

---
Kansas City Click: My official picks are published here.

(Original image by There Stands the Glass.)

Album Review: M.I.A.- Matangi

I've been waiting for Matangi for most of my life.  The concept of "The Music of Tomorrow" has always fascinated me.  But now that it's finally arrived in the form of M.I.A.'s fourth album, I find myself a bit nonplussed.  Her vaguely militant "Life During Wartime"-style stance and synthesis of world pop is meant to be experienced communally.  Listening to Matangi on headphones is all wrong.  Songs like "Attention" need to be felt in a nightclub or concert hall.  Until I locate a willing DJ, I'll have NME's video feature on M.I.A. on repeat.


---
In spite of the (deservedly) negative tone of my review, I actually enjoyed last night's concert featuring 2 Chainz, Tech N9ne, Juicy J, Tyga, Rocko and Kidd Kidd. 

---
I reviewed Karrin Allyson's new Yuletide Hideaway album at Plastic Sax.

---
Reach and Reggie B are featured on "Wrong Girl", a track on Marco Polo's star-laden PA2: The Director's Cut album.

---
Here's a video for Approach's "Of a 1,000".  RIYL: 785, wordplay, grainy black-and-white film.

---
Evalyn Awake's new single "Red" is RIYL: Chevelle, Trivium, Rev Theory.

---
Danny Alexander's essay about attending a recent Del Lords concert is excellent.

---
Hey, anyone remember Vinx?  The one-time area resident released Love Never Comes Too Late in April.  RIYL: Seal, Oleta Adams, John Legend.

---
The video for Bruce Springsteen's "Dream Baby Dream" is nice.  RIYL: slow motion, Suicide, arena rock.

---
The Gospel According to Sam, a compilation of homemade 1963 recordings of Mississippi bluesman Sam Langhorn, was released this week.  RIYL: John Hurt, tape hiss, Furry Lewis.

---
John Legend's new album Love in the Future is excellent.  RIYL: Stevie Wonder, luxury brands, Donny Hathaway.

---
Here's 17 minutes of Gary Burton and Julian Lage performing in the NPR offices. So good.

---
Death Grips has released a free new album.  RIYL: end times, dub, Anonymous.

---
Hearing the Biggie remix of Lorde's "Royals" sandwiched between Chris Brown and Drake on the radio makes me giddy.

---
Phil, a loyal reader of There Stands the Glass, recommends the Blues Unlimited podcast.

---
The video for Mick Turner's "The Bird Catcher" is messed up.  RIYL: the actress Karen Black (really!), the Dirty Three, nightmares.

---
Kansas City Click: My official picks are published here.

(Original image by There Stands the Glass.)

Album Review: Reggie B- DNA

I've never been a big fan of the Innate Sounds vibe.  The flighty funk, scat-happy vocals and meandering jazz beats I associate with the label just aren't my bag.  Yet DNA, the new recording by sometime Innate Sounds artist Reggie B, instantly connected with me.  The 70-plus-minute recording is based on the foundations laid down by Prince, J Dilla and Roy Ayers.  The project also contains embellishments inspired by R. Kelly, Teddy Riley, Bob James and Bootsy Collins.  While derivative, the mix works.  DNA is one of my favorite albums of the year by a Kansas City-based artist.


---
I reviewed concerts by Sara Bareilles, Bonnie Raitt and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra last week.

---
Ronald Shannon Jackson has died.

---
Jazz bassist Butch Warren has died.

---
Noel Harrison has died.

---
The doofus at Plastic Sax reviewed A Kansas City Trumpet Summit.

---
KCUR aired a ten-minute feature on Mike Stover.

---
Mac Lethal is in his wheelhouse in the In Other News segment for Pharrell Williams' channel.

---
Shame is the latest release by Mike Borgia & the Problems.

---
Tim Horner's The Head of the Circle is RIYL: Joe Locke, Ted Nash, mainstream jazz.

---
The EPK for the Robert Glasper Experiment's Black Radio 2 is exceedingly annoying.

---
Revocation made a video for "Fracked".  RIYL: environmental activism, death metal, headbanging.

---
Danny Brown's Old has its moments.  RIYL: Richard Pryor, substance abuse, A$AP Rocky.

---
I don't invest much time worrying about the ongoing debates related to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees.  Here are my five personal favorites- not the best or the most important artists- among the current batch of nominees: LL Cool J, The Meters, N.W.A., the Replacements and the Zombies.

---
Trivium's Vengeance Falls is RIYL: Metallica, energy drinks, Guitar Hero.

---
I adore Deer Tick's new album Negativity.  RIYL: Rick Danko, the Gourds, John Prine's Pink Cadillac.

---
Here's additional recent footage of Charlie Musselwhite performing at a tribute to Little Walter.

---
Tommy McCook's classic Reggae In Jazz was just reissued.  RIYL: The Skatalites, life, Duke Reid.

---
A forthcoming collection of Lone Justice recordings from 1984 features liner notes by Chris Morris.

---
This week's new releases of special interest to There Stands the Glass include AFI, Best Coast, Cage, Brandy Clark, Brett Dennen, Tom Harrell, DJ Khaled, Metal Church, Motorhead, Najee, Ednita Nazario, Polica, Anoushka Shankar and Norah Jones, Omar Souleyman and Linda Thompson.

---
Kansas City Click: My official picks are published here.  Also, "Am I Evil?" - you may or may not see me at the Diamond Head show tonight (October 22) at the Riot Room.

(Original image by There Stands the Glass.)